Breaking Barriers: AACE's Fight Against Marijuana Prejudice in AAPI Communities
- Jade Stone Branding
- Apr 29
- 3 min read
The Asian American community faces a unique challenge: while cannabis use and cultivation originated in Central Asia, contemporary Asian governments frequently impose stringent penalties for its use, such as public shame, imprisonment, or the death penalty. For many Asian Americans, these governmental policies significantly shape their perspectives on marijuana.
While older generations are stringently opposed to marijuana usage, a growing number of Millennials are embracing cannabis. However, many Asian Americans, regardless of age, still believe outdated or harmful myths about marijuana. Enter Asian Americans for Cannabis Education: an organization working to educate and destigmatize cannabis within their community. Its goal is to “[connect and empower] Asian communities to educate the public on cannabis issues, news, and policy affecting Asians worldwide.”
This year, AACE is celebrating its tenth anniversary of fighting marijuana prejudice. In recognition of AACE's significant contributions, and in honor of AAPI Heritage Month, we’re highlighting the organization’s history and the substantial progress it has achieved.
A Decade of Progress
For co-founder Ophelia Chong, stereotypes are personal. Originally, Chong's views were inflexible; she reacted negatively upon discovering her sister used marijuana to manage her autoimmune disease. Later, she became full of remorse and made it her mission to destigmatize all plant and fungi medications. She established Asian Americans for Cannabis Education in 2015, with the help of co-founders Tiffany Wu and Monica Lo.
Since then, the AACE has joined the Coalition for Cannabis Scheduling Reform, hosted potlucks, and advocated for minority-owned canna-businesses. But dismantling stereotypes is at the heart of their advocacy efforts.
In an interview with South Side Weekly, Chong noted, “I mean, there’s all [these] people talking about cannabis. But they don’t speak to a middle-aged Asian dad, right? It’s like, ‘Oh, that guy’s just like me. And he went to Columbia and Harvard, and oh, wow. He’s in cannabis?’ Right? ‘Oh, that person went to Dartmouth, or that one went to Duke. And they left Altria [tobacco industry leader] to become the Senior VP of sales at Eaze [a weed delivery service]? Holy cow.’ That’s what I want people to see. We’re not all stoners, that we actually have jobs. Some of us went to Ivy League schools, have a family, are attorneys and doctors. And it’s not what you think it is. You’ve been fed a lot of misinformation.”
Building Communities
For many Asian American business owners, starting a cannabis company is an isolating endeavor. AAPI individuals own 2.4% of all marijuana businesses. Finding others who understand the struggles and triumphs that many in the community face can be difficult. Therefore, fostering a supportive community is crucial to overcoming the stigma surrounding cannabis use. AACE facilitates platforms for individuals to exchange experiences and connect with others who comprehend their challenges. This sense of belonging helps dismantle outdated stereotypes and empowers business owners to network with others from similar backgrounds.
Their largest contribution to date is AACE’s blog: a compendium of AAPI voices that celebrate Asian Americans’ contributions to the cannabis industry. While every blog post is different, many focus on breaking down cultural barriers that prevent older generations from embracing cannabis.
This quote from Alexander Choi of Naturr explains how many young entrepreneurs ease their relatives into accepting marijuana: “...The other thing that helped was my parents realizing how many people around them either worked in the cannabis industry, albeit discreetly or were consumers themselves. Even though it's still taboo to speak about consumption in certain circles, their gradual uncovering of how widespread consumption and support for legalization is helped significantly as Natuur became more and more real.”
Education and Empowerment
As AACE looks to the future, the organization remains dedicated to education and empowerment. AACE will continue to advocate for policies supporting minority-owned cannabis businesses, provide resources for those entering the industry, and ensure that Asian Americans remain leaders in cannabis innovation and entrepreneurship.
The 10th anniversary of AACE marks the progress Asian Americans have made in embracing cannabis as both a business and a cultural shift. The organization has grown from a movement focused on education and engagement into a thriving network of pioneers who are shaping the future of cannabis. As the industry continues to evolve, AACE will remain a guiding force, ensuring that Asian American voices are heard, respected, and celebrated.
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